Coreless roll dispenser



March 5, 1968 M. J. LILLY 3,371,774

CORELESS ROLL DISPENSER Filed Oct. 19. 1966 INVENTOR' MARTlN J. LILLY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,371,774 CORELESS ROLL DISPENSER Martin J. Lilly, Neptune, N.J., assignor to Sun Chemical Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 587,749 1 Claim. (Cl. 20652) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a dispenser for a coreless cylindrical roll of material which has a coreless cylindrical region and preferably comprises decorative ribbonlike material. A planar backing member serves as a support or base for a cylindrical, preferably transparent, encasing blister afiixed to the backing member and adapted to contain the coreless roll. The encasing blister comprises a cylindrical hub which extends part-way in the hole, and which hub is closed generally across said region to define a closed space between the hub means and the backing member. An elongated resilient strip is disposed within the coreless region to bear outwardly against the roll, which not only facilitates to serve in dispensing the ribbon therefrom but also maintains a tight roll for neat appearance. A circumferential tab is provided for opening the blister whereat the roll may be dispensed beginning with the outer-most layer.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging and dispensing a coreless roll of ribbon or the like material.

The invention is particularly suited to the dispensing of ribbon for ornamental purposes, such as gift wrapping and will be described in such application. However, it should be appreciated that various ribbon-like materials may be readily dispensed by this apparatus.

A backing member is provided to serve as a base or support in the dispenser, with the roll being disposed adjacent the backing member. An encasing member, preferably substantially contour conforming to the roll, is adapted to be sealed or afiixed to the backing member loosely to contain the roll. The encasing member may comprise a transparent shell in the form of concentric cylinders or partial cylinders. The outer cylindrical portion is apertured for dispensing the ribbon.

The inner cylindrical portion preferably extends only part way into the roll and is closed to define a closed space between its inner end and the backing member. This partial cylinder serves as a hub for the roll. An elongated stri of flexible material is adapted to be positioned within the space to bear outwardly against the reel core. Alternatively the strip may be positioned about the hub and assert an outward force thereby preventing the roll from tightening about the hub, as material is dispensed.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of this invention comprises, not only a dispensing apparatus, but packaging, dispensing and handling apparatus.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser for coreless rolls of material.

Another object of the invention is the provision of packaging and dispensing apparatus for coreless rolls of ribbon.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for retaining and dispensing coreless rolls of ribbon while obviating the problem of rolls compressing on hubs or cores.

Other and further objects and advantages of the inven- 3,371,774 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 tion will appear from the following detailed description thereof when taken in light of the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the dispenser apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, also in perspective, of the structure of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a view in vertical cross-section of the structure of FIG. 1.

A backing member 11 is shown in the form of a planar sheet of heavy paper cardboard or the like to which an encasing member 13 is adapted to be affixed by, for example heat sealing, as at 12 or the like along its flange 15. The material of hte encasing member 13 is preferably translucent and may comprise any suitable (blister) forming material, such as .010 gauge vinyl.

The encasing member comprises an outer cylindrical portion 17 and an inner cylindrical portion 79, concentrically disposed relative thereto. The outer cylindrical portion 17 is of slightly larger diameter than that of the roll 21 of ribbon 23.

The inner cylindrical portion 19 terminates in a closed inner wall 25, such that this cylindrical portion forms a hub extending preferably only part way into the coreless roll 21. A strip 29 of flexible material, such as styrene, is adapted to fit within the opening 31 and bear outwardly against roll 21. It is interesting to note that strip 29 may be disposed within the space between wall 25 and the backing member 11 or alternatively it may be disposed between the peripheral portion 19 and roll 21.

In either event the length is preferably of the order of the circumference, defining region or opening 31, and in this manner the strip may bear against itself because of overlapping ends.

The ribbon 23 is dispensed through opening 35 in outer cylinder 17 which opening is made by removing tab 37. Suitable perforations, not shown, permit ready removal of the tab by the user.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, innovations and other embodiments may readily occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the description herein presented, and it is intended that the invention be limited only by. the scope of the appended claim, wherein:

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for a coreless cylindrical roll of flat ribbon material having a hollow coreless cylindrical region comprising in combination, a planar backing member, cylindrical encasing means afiixed to said backing member and adapted to contain said roll; said encasing means comprising cylindrical hub means extending only part way into the roll in the coreless region thereof and being closed generally across said region to define a closed space between the hub means and the backing member; an elongated resiliently flexible stri disposed circumferentially within said coreless region bearing outwardly against said roll; and said encasingv means being circumferentially apertured for dispensing the material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,802,568 8/1957 Knox 206 3,062,370 11/1962 Morin 20659 3,202,269 8/1965 Lewis et al. 20678 3,246,814 4/1966 Lovell et a1. 20658 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,319,744 1/1963 France.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 

